Hand wielded weapon

ABSTRACT

A hand wielded weapon including a flexible elongated lanyard with connector means for receiving an innocuous container and keys and/or other objects, the container configured for releasably dispensing upon sufficient impact a selected substance capable of marking for identification of, distracting, and/or temporarily incapacitating, an assailant. The lanyard provides increased length for distancing the user from the assailant when using the weapon.

The background of the invention will be discussed in two parts.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to hand weapons for self defense, and more particularly to a novel innocuous hand wielded weapon that has the appearance of a harmless key carrying device that can be carried in a purse or pocket, or worn about the body of the user in a manner such as around the neck of the user.

2. Related Art

A number of hand wielded weapons have been developed for self defense that are not firearms, knives or the like. However, many of these weapons utilize chains or telescoping sticks or rods, which for individuals who want only to defend themselves, present certain disadvantages. For instance, certain obvious weapons are not easily concealed and thus lose the element of surprise, and further, can provoke a preemptive strike or counter-threat that could be counter productive to the safety of the user. An example of a combined key holder and self defense weapon is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 308,297 issued to Romano on 5 Jun. 1990. Another such weapon is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,460,174 issued to Perry on 17 Jul. 1984. The weapon includes a hollow handle having a relatively long cord therein and connected externally to a number of keys. Coacting means enable the user to release the cord permitting the keys to be hurled at the attacker.

Considering the shortcomings and deficiencies in the above disclosures, as well as in other known prior art, there exists a need for a hand wielded weapon for self defense that is more effective, that is easily concealed when not at the ready, is innocuous such that it can be worn on the person of the user, and is easily useable at short notice in dangerous situations.

It is thus a primary object of the present invention to provide new and improved means for a hand wielded self defense weapon that can be carried in a purse or pocket and has the appearance of a harmless key carrying device. The weapon can be worn by the user such as suspended from a lanyard or strap worn around the neck of the user. Another object of the invention is to provide a self defense weapon that provides more effective protection, and as well provide means for marking of an assailant for identification and thus apprehension of the assailant. It is another object to provide a hand wielded weapon that provide for offensive as well as defensive use. Other objects, aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the specification taken in conjunction with the drawings.

SUMMARY

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention are accomplished by providing new and improved hand wielded weapon that includes a flexible suspension means such as an elongated lanyard, strap or cord with a common key ring with keys and an innocuous container for connection to the key ring, the container configured for releasably dispensing upon impact a selected substance, or substances, capable of marking an assailant for identification, and/or temporarily dissuading or even incapacitating the assailant. The suspension means provides increased length for distancing the user from the assailant when using the apparatus, the keys adding weight for swinging the container.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a situation in which the hand wielded weapon embodying the invention might be used against an assailant;

FIG. 2 illustrates the method in which the weapon of the invention can be used against an assailant;

FIG. 3 illustrates reaction of an assailant subjected to the contents of the container;

FIG. 4 illustrates the weapon of the invention in its assembled state as being swung toward an assailant;

FIG. 5 illustrates in greater detail the assembled weapon of the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates in greater detail the means for connecting the container of the invention to the suspension means;

FIG. 7 illustrates in partial sectional view certain elements of the invention taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 illustrates in sectional view a method for replacing or refilling the container of the invention.

DESCRIPTION

Having reference now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements in the several views, the hand wielded weapon of the invention will be described.

FIG. 1 illustrates the weapon of the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 10, in a situation wherein an unsuspecting intended victim, the weapon user, 11 is being accosted by an assailant 12. Also shown is the container 13 of the invention in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the alerted intended victim 11 wherein the weapon 10 has been made ready and is being flailed or swung toward the assailant 12 by the intended victim 11 in a manner so as to impact the assailant 12. Upon impact, the container 13 operates to disperse contents 14 upon the assailant 12 with effects as will be further described infra.

FIG. 3 illustrates a typical reaction by the assailant 12 after being impacted by the contents 14 of the container 13. As will be described the contents 14 of container 13 are selected suitable for marking the assailant 12 for later identification, and/or for temporarily dissuading or even incapacitating the assailant 12.

FIG. 4 illustrates the weapon 10 of the invention in its assembled state. As seen, the weapon 10 comprises a flexible elongated lanyard, strap or cord 15 with a key ring 16 having keys 17 (shown in phantom), and container 13. Key ring 16 is connected to strap 15 by means of clasp 18, clasp 18 including swivel means 18 a and eyelet 18 b for receiving strap 15. Also shown is eyelet connector 13 a for connecting container 13 to key ring 16. The elongated strap 15, as indicated in FIG. 1, is of sufficient length to be worn around the neck of the user 11. This length further serves to distance the user 11 from the assailant 12 as well as increase the radius of the swing and thus the impact of the container 13 upon the assailant 12. Additionally, the combined weight of the keys 17 and the container 13 will provide for additional impact when striking the assailant 12 for dispersing the contents 14. Instead of or in addition to keys, other objects such as jewelry may be attached to the key ring 16. Further, it is understood that keys 17 or such objects are not necessary for proper operation of the invention and key ring 16 may be replaced with any sufficient means for connecting container 13 to lanyard 15.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrates in greater detail the weapon 10 of the invention in its assembled state with FIG. 6 further illustrating the manner in which clasp 18 is retroactively opened to receive key ring 16.

FIG. 7 illustrates in a sectional view, taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 5, specific characteristics of the contents, generally designated 14, of the container 13. Although shown having spherical configuration it is understood that it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various configurations, as well as materials, may be selected for the container 13, the requirement being that the container must be capable of emitting the selected contents upon forcible contact with the assailant. The container material can be selected for bursting on impact or configured to release the contents through an aperture or apertures upon impact. Additionally, the container 13 may include markings to make it more innocuous. For instance, the container 13 may include cartoon characters, athletic team names, horoscope signs, etc. as a means of obfuscating an assailant.

The interior of container 13 may have various compartments depending upon the desired contents 14. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the container 13 includes a compartment for containing an ink, or other appropriate material, 20 for marking the assailant 12. Another compartment may contain an irritant or a partially incapacitating or debilitating liquid, gas, or other substance 30 as may be desired. Other variations of compartments and/or contents will occur to those skilled in the art, such as a mixture of an ocular irritant and a dye, pepper spray, or a catalyst or activating agent may be included as may be necessary to activate a desired substance upon being subjected to sufficient impact. Compartments may also be broken upon impact so as to form desired mixtures. Numeral 40 indicates weights that are designed and selectively placed within container 13 such that upon impact the weights fracture the compartment barriers as well as the outer shell of the container 13 so as to effectively dispense the contents 14.

Although the container 13 is designed to be used only once, FIG. 8 illustrates in sectional view an embodiment of the invention 10 for replacing or refilling the contents 14 of the container 13 of the invention. As seen, eyelet 13 a is threaded into aperture 13 b of container 13 such that upon removal of eyelet 13 a container 13 may be initially charged as indicated by the arrows. Used containers are simply removed from key ring 16 and replaced by a fresh container.

The hand wielded weapon 10 will normally be carried in a purse or pocket or may be looped by the strap 11 around the neck of the user. If it becomes necessary to use the weapon 10, the user 11 will ready the weapon by grasping the strap 11 at the end away from the tethered end of the keys 17 and container 13. If time permits the more effective manner of grasping the strap 11 would include looping the end of the strap 11 over the back of the user's hand and then running the strap 11 through the front of the user's fingers whereby the strap 11 is grasped in the manner of grasping a golf club.

The keys 17, and thus the container 13, are then propelled, such as in an arc towards an assailant 12 with a swinging motion as indicated in the figures. Traveling in an arc at the full length of strap 15 the keys 17 and container 14 will strike the assailant with considerable force thereby releasing the contents 14 of the container 13. Further, since the keys 17 are connected to the strap 15 they add additional disorientation upon impact.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the invention provides a novel hand wielded weapon having a number of advantages over prior art weapons of the same type. It is also understood that the invention can be designed to be an offensive weapon. In this case, the contents 14 may include a more dangerous substance, such as a device for stunning or otherwise incapacitating a victim. For instance, material 20 and substance 30 may be selected for severely incapacitating or debilitating the victim.

Although an embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, other embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that would fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be construed as limited to the specific embodiment herein depicted and described. 

1. A hand wielded weapon comprising: an elongated flexible member; a container member containing a selected anti-assailant substance releasable when subjected to sufficient force of contact; connective means for connecting said container element to said flexible element; and whereby said container member can be impacted against an assailant to the extent permitted by said flexible member.
 2. The weapon of claim 1 wherein said selected substance is capable of marking said assailant for identification.
 3. The weapon of claim 1 wherein said selected substance is capable of temporarily distracting said assailant.
 4. The weapon of claim 1 where said selected substance is an assailant debilitating agent capable of disabling said assailant.
 5. The weapon of claim 1 wherein said container member is configured to be innocuous in appearance.
 6. The weapon of claim 1 wherein said flexible member is configured as a lanyard suitable for wearing around the neck of a user, said container member includes eyelet connective means, and said connective member is configured for attachment to said flexible member and having clasp means for receiving said container eyelet.
 7. The weapon of claim 5 wherein said flexible element is a neck strap of sufficient length for increased distancing of the user from said assailant.
 8. The weapon of claim 5 further including key-ring means for connection between said connective member and said container eyelet for receiving objects taken from the group of keys and jewelry.
 9. A hand wielded weapon comprising: an elongated flexible member; a container member containing a selected anti-assailant substance releasable when subjected to sufficient force of contact; connective means for connecting said container element to said flexible element; whereby said container member can be impacted against an assailant to the extent permitted by said flexible member; and said selected substance is taken from the group including a substance capable of marking said assailant for identification, a substance capable of temporarily distracting said assailant, and a debilitating agent capable of disabling said assailant.
 10. The weapon of claim 9 wherein said container means is configured to be innocuous in appearance.
 11. The weapon of claim 9 wherein said flexible member is configured as a lanyard suitable for wearing around the neck of a user and is of such length to distance the user from said assailant, said container member includes eyelet connective means, and said connective member is configured for attachment to said flexible member and having clasp means for receiving said container eyelet.
 12. The weapon of claim 9 further including key-ring means for connection between said connective member and said container eyelet for receiving objects taken from the group of keys and jewelry.
 13. The weapon of claim 9 wherein said container member is configured to be innocuous in appearance.
 14. A hand wielded weapon comprising: a device for receiving objects taken from the group containing keys and jewelry; an elongated flexible element for attachment to said device; container means for attachment to said device, said container configured for releasably dispensing upon sufficient impact a selected substance; and whereby said objects and said container means can be swung at an assailant to the extent permitted by said flexible element.
 15. The self defense weapon of claim 14 wherein said selected substance is taken from the group including a substance capable of marking said assailant for identification, a substance capable of temporarily distracting said assailant, and a debilitating agent capable of disabling said assailant.
 16. The weapon of claim 15 wherein said container member is configured to be innocuous in appearance. 